The Inner Workings of a Law Firm

How Your Car Accident Claim Worth Is Determined

18 January 2016 by Jo Rodriquez

When you have been involved in a car accident in which you were not at fault, you are probably going to want to sue the opposite party in order to receive compensation for financial damages that have occurred. Determining what your claim is worth, however, can be difficult, especially if you have no experience. This is why it's important to have an auto accident lawyer by your side who can help ensure that you receive a settlement that is fair compared to what your claim is worth. Here's how your lawyer will determine what your claim is worth:

• ​Car Repairs: First off, your car is going to be evaluated to determine how much repairs are going to cost you. The opposite party's insurance company will provide compensation for these costs, and you will typically be reimbursed for whatever you end up having to pay for out of pocket. 
• Medical Bills: If you have been injured in the accident, you will want to save all medical bills, including bills from physical therapy if this is something you had to do. This will all be included in determining how much your claim is worth. 
• Lost Income: If you have been injured in the car accident, you will be compensated for lost income after having to spend however many days necessary in the hospital's care and recovering at home. 
• Pain and Suffering: If you have suffered from anxiety or post-traumatic stress because of the car accident and needed to be treated for it, this will also be included in determining your claim amount. 
• Loss of Normal Life: If you were injured permanently in any way and that affected your ability to perform certain tasks at work, you will want to be compensated for this. You will also be compensated if this injury has also prevented you from being able to perform certain tasks at home, thus having to hire professional help. 
• Comparative Negligence: Finally, your lawyer is going to determine your possible role in the accident. This is called comparative negligence. If you were doing anything that could have caused the accident to occur in any way, there is a chance that you may not be found innocent at all in the situation, thus ensuring that you receive no compensation whatsoever. However, if the judge finds that you were only involved in less than 50% of the accident, then this percentage will be taken out of what your claim is worth, thus lessening the amount that you receive in the end. 

By knowing how your car accident claim worth is determined, you can ensure that you are saving all receipts and proof of certain expenses that you should be compensated for. Click here for info on auto accident law.

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